Conversion Conversations

Week 13  Hope

"In hope we were saved. But hope is not hope if its object is seen; how is it possible for one to hope for what he sees? And hoping for what we cannot see means awaiting it with patient endurance." —Romans 8:24-25

SUNDAY

"Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He Who in His great mercy gave us new birth; a birth unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." —1 Pt 1:3

Abba: Child, your future is resurrection and eternal happiness, when every tear will be wiped away. There will be no more death, pain, hurt, or rejection (Rv 21:4). Child: Abba, when I think about heaven, I sometimes feel like hibernating on earth. However, I know just waiting for time to run out doesn't bring victory.

Persevere "in running the race which lies ahead" (Heb 12:1), "moved as you are by the hope held in store for you in heaven" (Col 1:4).

MONDAY

"Everyone who has this hope based on Him keeps himself pure, as He is pure." —1 Jn 3:3

Abba: Child, since your home is in heaven, you are a stranger and alien on the earth (1 Pt 2:11). Be committed to the building of My kingdom on earth. Don't get mixed up with the world; remain pure. You are to be attached to My kingdom and detached from the world. Child: Abba, it's too late. I'm already attached to the world. It would take a miracle for my relation to the world to be as Jesus related to the world (1 Jn 4:17).

Persevere in expecting miracles.

TUESDAY

"Hoping against hope, Abraham believed and so became the father of many nations." —Rm 4:18

Abba: Child, I know it's hard. That's why I sent Jesus to take over your life—so the yoke would be easy and the burden light (Mt 11:30). Accept Jesus as your Lord. Commit your life to Him. Child: Abba, I've heard that "hope springs eternal" but sometimes I find it hard for hope to spring even daily. But You always do something, just when I feel it's too late.

Persevere in "hoping against hope."

WEDNESDAY

"If our hopes in Christ are limited to this life only, we are the most pitiable of men." —1 Cor 15:19

Abba: Child, your earthly future has a heavenly future, eternal happiness. Child: Abba, I can't understand You. I've never been outside time. Everything's always begun and ended. To think of a joy that never ends.

Persevere; it gets better and better.

THURSDAY

"God has willed to make known to them the glory beyond price which this mystery brings to the Gentiles—the mystery of Christ in you, your Hope of glory." —Col 1:27

Abba: Child, My presence gives you hope for the future, joy in the present, and no regrets from the past. I am Emmanuel, "God with you" and within you. At this moment, adore Me present in you. Child: Abba...

Persevere in a life of worship to the Father through the Son and in the Spirit.

FRIDAY

"We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you bear toward all the saints—moved as you are by the hope held in store for you in heaven. You heard of this hope through the message of truth, the gospel." —Col 1:4-5

Abba: Child, it's good to see you happy and smiling. I rejoice in My children's joy. Don't you see that hope overshadows everything? Child: Abba...

Persevere; "the sufferings of the present are nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us" (Rm 8:18).

SATURDAY

"We even boast of our afflictions! We know that affliction makes for endurance, and endurance for tested virtue, and tested virtue for hope. And this hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us." —Rm 5:3-5

Abba: Child, do you see how valuable your afflictions are? Hope is something that grows in the field of afflictions, endurance, and virtue. Your "high hopes" have been shot down by people, but I'll never disappoint you. Your hopes are never high enough for Me. Child: Abba, I'm sorry for lessening my hopes. May my hopes be unlimited by time, space, and me.

Persevere in hoping for more and more indefinitely.

Excerpts from Scripture are taken from The New American Bible, copyright 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.

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